Authorities in London have confirmed that a 22-year-old Afghan refugee has been arrested on suspicion of murder following a fatal stabbing in Uxbridge, north-west London, that left one man dead and two others injured.
The Incident
According to the Metropolitan Police, the attack occurred on Monday evening. A 49-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene, while a 45-year-old man sustained life-changing injuries, and a 14-year-old boy was also wounded, though his injuries were not life-threatening.
Footage shared on social media appeared to show a violent altercation on a suburban street, prompting widespread speculation about the suspect’s background. Chief Superintendent Jill Horsfall, head of policing in Uxbridge, described the event as a “shocking and senseless act of violence,” urging the public to refrain from sharing videos of the incident online.
Identity and Immigration Status
On Tuesday, the Home Office confirmed that the man arrested was a refugee from Afghanistan who had arrived in the UK illegally in November 2020 — hidden on a truck — and was later granted refugee status and leave to remain in 2022.
The department clarified that, contrary to online rumours, the suspect was not living in government-provided accommodation for asylum seekers. Instead, he was residing in a private home. “In order to avoid speculation and further misinformation, we can confirm that the suspect lived in a private residential address,” said Horsfall.
Under current UK policy, individuals who are granted refugee status must vacate asylum accommodation within eight weeks.
Broader Context
The incident comes amid heightened public tension over immigration and asylum policy in the UK. Over the summer, protests — some of which turned violent — broke out outside hotels housing asylum seekers, following reports of crimes committed by individuals awaiting deportation decisions.
In one high-profile case, Hadush Kebatu, an Ethiopian asylum seeker, was mistakenly released from custody rather than being deported. He went on to commit sexual assaults in Essex, sparking widespread outrage and further protests. Kebatu was rearrested and deported earlier this week.
Government and Police Response
The UK government has responded to growing public concern by directing officials to identify former military sites that could be converted into accommodation for asylum seekers, in an effort to reduce reliance on hotels.
Police sources have stated that the Uxbridge attack is not being treated as a terrorist incident. The suspect remains in custody on charges of murder and attempted murder as investigations continue.
Chief Superintendent Horsfall emphasized the importance of allowing the investigation to proceed without misinformation: “We understand the community’s concern, but speculation online only hinders our ability to uncover the facts.”
The Metropolitan Police continue to appeal for witnesses or anyone with footage of the incident to come forward.
